Hello folks! I’m back from a couple trips out of town (family stuff, without my computer) so I could not blog for a while. But now that I’m back in town, I can catch the second half of the AFI Festival in Los Angeles, which runs through Nov. 10. Screenings are free! – though of course you still need a ticket, available at http://www.afi.com/AFIFEST/.   For more on AFI, check out today’s article in the LA Times, “Finding Passion for Film,” featuring an interview with...

.............WELCOME TO OUR NEWSLETTER N° 440: November 12, 2009 Follow this LINK if you cannot read the newsletter properly Contact the Editor, Advertise on the sites. How to use FestivalExpress our new online submission suite for festivals and filmmakers. THE NEXT FESTIVAL DAILIES ON FEST21.COM AFI Fest, Fort Lauderdale, Cairo Fest, Festival d'Arra...

The Screening Before the lights went down and the projector fired up, AFI FEST Director Christian Gaines welcomed audience members and attending artists to a special opening night. "I have to admit that it's both a pleasure and a bit of relief to kick things off tonight," he said. "Over the next 10 days, visitors from around the world and thousands of film fans will come to Hollywood to participate in this communal celebration of cinema, to yield to the experience and to honor th...

Organizers Predict Record Attendance at 2006 International Market and FestivalSince the formation of their strategic partnership in 2004, the American Film Market and AFI FEST have grown to become the largest gathering of film industry professionals in North America. Registration is running well ahead of last November’s events and organizers predict that turnout for this year will easily top the 2005 attendance of more than 9,000 individuals working in all facets of the motion picture industry...

After building several successful partnerships with filmmakers and festivals throughout its first year in business, Austin-based Bside Entertainment has unveiled its innovative platform of services at the South By Southwest (SXSW) 2006 Interactive/Film Trade Show. Bside is led by a strong advisory board that includes writer/producer Steven Bochco, former Polygram Films president Andrew Fogelson, top entertainment attorney Barry Hirsch, Slamdance co-founder and former AFI Fest director Jon Fitzge...

The International Federation of Film Producers’ Associations (FIAPF) has confirmed that the US film festival, AFI FEST presented by Audi: AFI Los Angeles International Film Festival, has applied for accreditation of the 2006 edition.The international film producers community that FIAPF represents has decided to recognise the 2006 edition of AFI FEST (November 2 – 12, 2006) celebrating its 20th Anniversary, as a festival with an international competition which specialises in narrative feature...

AFI FEST 2005 presented by Audi Announces Award WinnersCapping another successful year, AFI FEST 2005 announced its award winners at a special Awards Presentation hosted by Tom Arnold at The Loft at the Festival's Rooftop Village--Sunday evening, November 13, in advance of its Closing Night Gala Presentation, sponsored by Los Angeles Magazine, of director Lasse Hallström's CASANOVA, starring Heath Ledger, Sienna Miller, Lena Olin and Oliver Platt. After the showcasing of 127 films from 44 count...

"American Film Market Wraps Up Successful Year, Looks Forward To Continued Partnership with AFI FEST by Chris Davison This year's American Film Market (AFM) took place from November 2-9 in Santa Monica, and achieved substantial gains in exhibitors, buyers and overall attendance. The number of attendees across all categories--including exhibitors, buyers, industry badges, press and guests--reached a record high of 8,014, a 13% increase over last year's total. Buyers came from 62 different countr...

The 25th American Film Market (AFM) opened this week to rave reviews with a record number of exhibitors, buyers, screenings and market premieres. This was presented by Michael Ryan, Independent Film & Television Alliance (I.F.T.A.) Chairman, Jean M. Prewitt, President and Chief Executive Officer, I.F.T.A., and Jonathan Wolf, Executive Vice President, I.F.T.A. and Managing Director, AFM. Santa Monica, California is the annual setting for the largest US film market, where film reps and buyer co...

The 2004 American Film Market closed with an increase in total attendance of 5%, it was announced by Jonathan Wolf, Executive Vice President, AFMA, and Managing Director of the AFM. In addition, Mr. Wolf reported that total buyers are up 10% from last year. The AFM, which opened Wednesday, February 25, concludes tomorrow, March 3.Total attendance is 7,212, up 5% from 6,834 in 2003. The final tally of buyers is 1,434 compared to 1,309 last year, a 10% increase, with 642 buying companies registe...

AFM ANNOUNCES INITIAL PLANS FOR NEW STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIP WITH AFI FESTAFM today revealed initial plans for the new relationship between the American Film Market (AFM) and the AFI Los Angeles International Film Festival (AFI FEST). The announcement was made jointly by Michael Ryan, Chairman, AFMA, Jean Prewitt, AFMA President and CEO, and Jonathan Wolf, AFMA Executive Vice President and Managing Director of AFM.The current AFM concludes on Wednesday and has set a new record with the highest num...

AFM ANNOUNCES INITIAL PLANS FOR NEW STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIP WITH AFI FESTAFM today revealed initial plans for the new relationship between the American Film Market (AFM) and the AFI Los Angeles International Film Festival (AFI FEST). The announcement was made jointly by Michael Ryan, Chairman, AFMA, Jean Prewitt, AFMA President and CEO, and Jonathan Wolf, AFMA Executive Vice President and Managing Director of AFM.The current AFM concludes on Wednesday and has set a new record with the highest num...